Pete and Kym team up as professionals at the Leicestershire
THERE is a new, strong PGA team of professionals at the helm of one of the county’s oldest golf clubs – The Leicestershire GC.
Head professional Pete Livie took over earlier this season. A former ladies’ European Tour pro, Kym Larratt, is now a key member of his team, and a further PGA trainee could be appointed soon.
Livie, a self-declared sports addict since he was young, decided at the age of 10 to focus on golf.
He said: “I got the golfing ‘bug’ then and it has remained as intense ever since.
“I started to play regularly, as did many youngsters, at the city municipal course at Western Park and played a vast amount of golf there throughout my amateur days.
Indeed, I was the youngest-ever winner of the club’s championship, winning it with the lowest score and also the most times in succession.
“My handicap was scratch at the age of 16 after winning the county golf union’s boys championship here at The Leicestershire, and after that I was fortunate enough to represent Leicestershire and Rutland not only in boys, but also men’s matches.
“It was at Western Park where I got my first opportunity to work in a pro’s shop, gaining valuable work experience from school. I turned pro when I was 19 and started my PGA qualification, graduating three years later to become fully qualified.”
In 2015, Livie grasped an opportunity to become the assistant pro at The Leicestershire and was “ecstatic” to have the opportunity this year to be made the club’s head professional.
He said: “I fondly recall how friendly and welcoming all the members and staff were to me when I joined as assistant pro and delighted recently to have the backing of president Alan Fletcher, general manager Will Bevan, and the committee to take on y new role.
“Since I came in 2015, I have witnessed many positive changes at what is a great club with a fantastic can-do attitude, and the addition of two par fives has been important – these haven’t existed here since the 1970s and have been welcomed.
“I feel honoured and privileged to be given this opportunity at such a prestigious, historic golf club.
“I have invested in the shop and the fitting studio, so I am able to offer first class club fitting using Flightscope technology. I have introduced some well received, new brands to the Professional Shop and, being a TGI Golf Partner, I have access to over 60 brands which enables me to place custom orders with brands that I might not even stock.’’